2010 Houston Cougars football team

Last updated

2010 Houston Cougars football
Houston Cougars Logo (1999-2012).svg
Conference Conference USA
DivisionWest
Record5–7 (4–4 C-USA)
Head coach
Co-offensive coordinators
Offensive scheme Air raid
Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart (1st season)
Base defense 3–4
Home stadium Robertson Stadium
Seasons
  2009
2011  
2010 Conference USA football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 21 UCF x$  7 1   11 3  
East Carolina  5 3   6 7  
Southern Miss  5 3   8 5  
Marshall  4 4   5 7  
UAB  3 5   4 8  
Memphis  0 8   1 11  
West Division
SMU xy  6 2   7 7  
No. 24 Tulsa x  6 2   10 3  
Houston  4 4   5 7  
UTEP  3 5   6 7  
Rice  3 5   4 8  
Tulane  2 6   4 8  
Championship: UCF 17, SMU 7
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
As of January 11, 2011
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2010 Houston Cougars football team (also known as the Houston Cougars, Houston, or UH) represented the University of Houston in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the 65th year of season play for Houston. The team was coached by third-year head football coach Kevin Sumlin, and played its home games at Robertson Stadium—a 32,000-seat stadium on campus in Houston. The program is a member of Conference USA in its West Division. Although ranked favorably early in the season, the team finished with a 5–7 record, (4–4 in C-USA play) after season-ending injuries to starting quarterback Case Keenum and other key players.

Contents

Pre-season

Recruits

Houston's 2010 recruiting class was highly rated relative to its previous seasons. Rated as the No. 45 best recruiting class in the nation ahead of TCU and behind Oregon State by Rivals.com, the 2010 class was Houston's highest-ever ranking by the site. Scout.com ranked Houston as #54, which was the highest Houston had been ranked since 2003, and the 3rd-highest-ever ranking by the site.

This was also the highest-rated recruiting class in Conference USA by both sites for the season. [1] [2] In terms of position, Houston ranked No. 13 in the nation by Scout.com for best average ratings of quarterbacks recruited. [3] This reinforced the team's depth in the position, as senior Case Keenum was scheduled to compete in his last season in 2010.

College recruiting information (2010)
NameHometownSchoolHeightWeight40Commit date
Kenneth Bibbins
TE
Sugar Land, Texas Kempner 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)208 lb (94 kg)4.72Jul 14, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (75)
Eric Braswell
DE
Killeen, TexasShoemaker6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)233 lb (106 kg)4.80Jul 24, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (40)
Terrance Broadway
QB
Baton Rouge, LouisianaCapitol6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)197 lb (89 kg)4.65Jul 24, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (78)
Kent Brooks
DB
Humble, Texas Atascocita 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)200 lb (91 kg)4.50Mar 8, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (77)
Sammy Brown
LB
Perkinston, Mississippi Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)236 lb (107 kg)4.60Dec 7, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (N/A)
Xavier Brown
RB
Pearland, Texas Dawson 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)194 lb (88 kg)4.50Dec 19, 2008 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (74)
Alton Demby
DB
Galena Park, Texas North Shore 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)178 lb (81 kg)4.50Mar 18, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (76)
Jeremiah Farley
DE
Longview, Texas Longview 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)233 lb (106 kg)4.70Apr 29, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg    (40)
Rowdy Harper
OL
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Broken Arrow 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)268 lb (122 kg)5.20Sep 13, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg    (77)
Chris Hill
OL
Houston, Texas Yates 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)288 lb (131 kg)N/ASep 13, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg    (71)
Aaron Johnson
QB
Longview, Texas Longview 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)178 lb (81 kg)4.60Aug 7, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (73)
Jordan Jolly
WR
Missouri City, Texas Elkins 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)169 lb (77 kg)4.55Jul 13, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (77)
D.J. Jones
DB
Cibolo, TexasSteele6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)183 lb (83 kg)4.50Jul 24, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (40)
Darian Lazard
QB
Pearland, Texas Dawson 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)173 lb (78 kg)4.58Dec 18, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (76)
Richie Leone
K
Roswell, Georgia Roswell 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)188 lb (85 kg)4.70Jul 28, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (73)
Austin Lunsford
OL
Garrison, TexasGarrison6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)293 lb (133 kg)5.00Jun 8, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg    (77)
Zach McMillian
DB
Sugar Land, Texas Dulles 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)155 lb (70 kg)4.49Jun 9, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (75)
Efrem Oliphant
LB
Houston, Texas Langham 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)205 lb (93 kg)4.60Apr 16, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (74)
DeAndre Perry
WR
Austin, Texas Bowie 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)210 lb (95 kg)4.60May 1, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (78)
David Piland
QB
Southlake, Texas Carroll 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)178 lb (81 kg)4.70Aug 8, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (71)
Bryce Redman
OL
Longview, Texas Longview 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)265 lb (120 kg)4.90Jun 6, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg    (74)
Dominique Sanders
ATH
Fort Worth, Texas Dunbar 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)193 lb (88 kg)4.45Jan 23, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (N/A)
Matangi Tonga
DT
San Mateo, California C. of San Mateo 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)283 lb (128 kg)4.67Jan 15, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  4 stars.svg    (N/A)
Langston Williams
WR
Arlington, Texas Bowie 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)160 lb (73 kg)4.40Jul 28, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (40)
Rodney Williams
DT
Dallas, Texas Skyline 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)260 lb (120 kg)N/AMay 28, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (75)
Austin Wilson
LB
Tyler, Texas Lee 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)200 lb (91 kg)4.60Sep 26, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg    (40)
Jon Witten
LB
Houston, Texas Clear Lake 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)209 lb (95 kg)4.64Mar 12, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg    (73)
Overall recruit ranking:    Scout: 54    Rivals: 45
  • ‡ Refers to 40-yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Houston Commit List for 2010". Rivals. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  • "Houston: Commits". Scout. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  • "Houston Football Recruiting 2010". ESPN. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  • "2010 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved May 19, 2010.

Coaching staff

Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin Kevin Sumlin Close-up.jpg
Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin
NamePositionAlma mater (Year)
Kevin Sumlin Head coach Purdue (1986)
Jason Phillips Offensive coordinator Houston (1988)
Brian Stewart Defensive coordinator Northern Arizona (1992)
Tony Levine Special teams Minnesota (1996)
Kliff Kingsbury Co-offensive coordinator Texas Tech (2002)
Leon Burtnett Linebackers Southwestern College (1965)
Jim Jeffcoat Defensive line Arizona State (1982)
B.J. Anderson Offensive line Stephen F. Austin (1997)
Clarence McKinney Running backs Mary (1994)
Charles McMillianDefensive backs Utah State (1995)
Zac Spavital Cornerbacks Murray State (2004)

Top 25 rankings

During the pre-season, Houston was ranked in several notable top 25 polls. Sports Illustrated placed Houston at No. 21 in its power rankings list. [4] Lindy's Sports ranked Houston as #23, and Phil Steele ranked the team as #24. [5] [6] Just outside the top 25, Sporting News ranked Houston as #26, [7] and in the Coaches' Poll as #27. [8]

Awards & award watch lists

Case Keenum

Jamal Robinson

James Cleveland

Marcus McGraw

Patrick Edwards

Tyron Carrier

Roster

2010 Houston Cougars football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
QB 7 Case Keenum Redshirt.svg  Sr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 47:00 p.m. Texas State *W 68–2832,119 [18] A
September 109:15 p.m. UTEP
  • Robertson Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN W 54–2432,119 [19] B
September 189:30 p.m.at UCLA *No. 23 FSN L 13–3154,407 [20]
September 252:30 p.m. Tulane
  • Robertson Stadium
  • Houston, TX
CBSCS W 42–2332,007 [21]
October 97:00 p.m. Mississippi State *
  • Robertson Stadium
  • Houston, TX
CBSCSL 24–4732,067 [22]
October 162:30 p.m.at Rice
CSS L 31–3426,342 [23]
October 232:30 p.m.at SMU CBSCSW 45–2020,741 [24]
October 306:00 p.m.at Memphis CSSW 56–1719,731 [25]
November 57:00 p.m. UCF
  • Robertson Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN2 L 33–4032,008 [26]
November 137:00 p.m. Tulsa Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Robertson Stadium
  • Houston, TX
CBSCSL 25–2830,046 [27]
November 206:00 p.m.at Southern Miss L 41–5932,606 [28]
November 277:00 p.m.at Texas Tech * FSN L 20–3553,461 [29]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

Game summaries

Texas State

Houston versus Texas State at a sold-out Robertson Stadium Texas State Bobcats football at Houston 2010.jpg
Houston versus Texas State at a sold-out Robertson Stadium
1234Total
Texas State7071428
Houston203414068

As a season opener, Houston met with Texas State of the Southland Conference (a Division I FCS conference) for the fourth time in history. However, the two teams had not competed against each other in over six decades, with the last game being in 1948. [30] Texas State had been undefeated against Houston, and were led by fourth-year head coach Brad Wright.

Attendance was at an all-time high for Robertson Stadium, as 32,119 fans watched the game. The record-setting crowd at the stadium surpassed the previous season record against Texas Tech. This marked the largest home-opening crowd to watch the Cougars play since 37,652 fans watched Houston face California at the Astrodome on September 6, 1997. Quarterback Case Keenum set school records for both career passing yards and career pass attempts, surpassing then-current Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback Kevin Kolb.

UTEP

Houston's offense gets ready to start a drive from their end zone against UTEP 2010 Houston Cougars vs UTEP Miners.jpg
Houston's offense gets ready to start a drive from their end zone against UTEP
1234Total
UTEP737724
Houston141761754

Conference USA foe UTEP traveled to Robertson Stadium to face-off against Houston for the eighth time in history. Prior to UTEP's defeat, Houston's record against the team stood at 3–4. [31] During the previous season, UTEP defeated No. 12 Houston to knock the team out of the national rankings for a period of time. The team was led by sixth-year head coach Mike Price who had previously served as head coach for Washington State with Kevin Sumlin as a graduate assistant. Attendance for the game was again at an all-time high, as the 32,119 fans in attendance tied the previous record from the game prior. The matchup was nationally televised on ESPN.

The Cougars' offensive strategy appeared to be more focused on rushing rather than the passing game Houston was known for. It was the first time the team had achieved 300 rushing yards in a game since compiling 377 yards against Texas Southern on November 24, 2007. [31] After an interception thrown by senior Case Keenum to UTEP's Trauvan Nixon in the third quarter of the game, the quarterback attempted to tackle the opposing player. Keenum suffered a blow to the head, and was removed from the game. Back-up quarterback Cotton Turner took his place to carry on the win. It was later reported that Keenum was exhibiting symptoms of a mild concussion, but was showing dramatic improvement two days after the game. His condition was listed as being "day-to-day". [32]

Following the game, Houston became nationally ranked for the first time since the previous season, as the Cougars entered both the AP Poll and Coaches' Poll as #23. [33] Junior running back Bryce Beall was named the Conference USA offensive player of the week. Houston's record at 2–0, made it the only team in its conference division to remain undefeated overall, and allowed the team to take the number one spot in the standings.

UCLA

1234Total
#23 Houston3001013
UCLA71410031

Matt Hogan kicked a 29-yard field goal to give the Cougars the first quarter lead. Johnathan Franklin answered with an 11-yard run for a Bruins 7–3 lead. The Bruins scored two touchdowns in the second quarter. Kevin Prince ran for a 2-yard touchdown and Franklin added a 1-yard run touchdown.

In the third quarter, UCLA had a 42-yard field goal by Kai Forbath, the 2009 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award winner, and a touchdown again by Franklin (12 yards). Houston scored twice in the fourth quarter, on James Cleveland's 10-yard pass from Terrance Broadway and on Matt Hogan's 31-yard field goal.

Two Houston quarterbacks, Case Keenum and Cotton Turner, were injured in the game and are out for the season.

UCLA's Patrick Larimore, who had a career-high and team-high 11 tackles (10 solos), including three for loss, forced a fumble and broke up a pass in the game was named Pac-10 Conference defensive player of the week. He was also named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week.

Tulane

1234Total
Tulane0143623
Houston72101442

First quarter scoring: Houston – Bryce Beall (3-yard run).

Second quarter scoring: Tulane – Cody Sparks (13-yard pass from Kevin Moore), Devin Figaro (36-yard pass from Moore); Houston – Beall (1-yard run, 1-yard run), Michael Hayes (1-yard run).

Third quarter scoring: Tulane – Cairo Santos (29-yard field goal).

Fourth quarter scoring: Tulane – Payten Jason (9-yard run); Houston – Beall (25-yard run), Loyce Means (42-yard interception return).

Rankings

Week-to-week rankings
Legend:██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. ██ Not ranked the previous week. RV=receiving votes.
PollPreWk 1Wk 2Wk 3Wk 4Wk 5Wk 6Wk 7Wk 8Wk 9Wk 10Wk 11Wk 12Wk 13Wk 14Final
APRVRV23RVRVRVNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
CoachesRVRV23RVRVRVRVNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
HarrisNot releasedNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR
BCSNot releasedNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR

References

  1. "Conference Rankings". Scout.com . Retrieved May 20, 2010.
  2. "2010 Team Rankings". Rivals.com . Retrieved May 20, 2010.
  3. "Quarterback Rankings". Scout.com . Retrieved May 20, 2010.
  4. Staples, Andy (May 4, 2010). "'Bama exits spring as No. 1 team". Sports Illustrated . Archived from the original on May 7, 2010. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  5. "Lindy's announces its 2010 preseason Top 25 and All-America teams". Lindy's Sports. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  6. Steele, Phil. "Phil Steele's College Football Preview" . Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  7. "UH football ranked No. 26 in "The Sporting News" preseason Poll". KHOU . June 3, 2010. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
  8. "2010 NCAA Football Rankings - Preseason". ESPN. Archived from the original on August 23, 2010. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
  9. "Keenum Named to O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List". Houston Cougars athletics. July 14, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  10. "Keenum Named to Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List". Houston Cougars athletics. July 4, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  11. "Manning Award Adds Case Keenum to Watch List". Houston Cougars athletics. July 23, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  12. 1 2 "Keenum Named to Two More National Watch Lists". Houston Cougars athletics. August 9, 2010. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Five Cougars Named to Football Preseason All-Conference USA Team". Houston Cougars athletics. July 21, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  14. 1 2 3 "Three Cougar Receivers Named to Biletnikoff Watch List". Houston Cougars athletics. August 10, 2010. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  15. "Linebacker Marcus McGraw Named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List". Houston Cougars athletics. June 21, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  16. "McGraw Named to Lombardi Award Watch List". Houston Cougars athletics. April 29, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  17. "Carrier Named to Hornung Award Watch List". Houston Cougars athletics. August 17, 2010. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  18. "Texas State vs. Houston: Final Stats". Houston Cougars athletics. September 4, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  19. "UTEP vs. Houston: Final Stats". Houston Cougars athletics. September 11, 2010. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
  20. "Houston Cougars vs. UCLA Bruins Box Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  21. "Tulane Green Wave vs. Houston Cougars Box Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
  22. "Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Houston Cougars Box Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2010. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
  23. "Houston Cougars vs. Rice Owls Box Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  24. "Houston Cougars vs. Southern Methodist Mustangs Box Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
  25. "Houston Cougars vs. Memphis Tigers Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  26. "UCF Knights vs. Houston Cougars Box Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  27. "Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Houston Cougars Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  28. "Houston Cougars vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles Box Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  29. "Houston Cougars vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Box Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  30. "Football Postgame Notes vs. Texas State". Houston Cougars athletics. September 4, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
  31. 1 2 "Football Postgame Notes vs. UTEP". Houston Cougars athletics. September 11, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  32. "Case Keenum listed as day to day". ESPN.com. September 12, 2010. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  33. Campbell, Steve (September 13, 2010). "UH's Beall rushes to C-USA player of week honor". Houston Chronicle . Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2010.